By Ellen Zaroff
I have been sitting in my apartment on the Upper West Side, listening to incessant horns blowing and ambulances wailing as they try to get through traffic that has no place to go. This is not some confluence of factors — parades, delivery trucks, or dignitaries passing by — but, rather, it is manufactured by the Open Streets program, which blocks off Columbus Avenue starting at West 68th Street and ending at West 77th, on what seems like random Sundays during the summer months and October.
Open Streets, in fact, closes streets, except, of course, to pedestrian traffic. The pedestrian traffic consists of a few tables and people walking in the middle of the road — because they can, not because the sidewalks are unavailable. There are often a few small children, drawing with chalk in the street. It’s idyllic if you don’t turn around and see the massive backup of traffic inching its way east and west across West 77th Street.
This is further complicated by the pedestrian traffic crossing this intersection, which is abnormally heavy on Sundays due to the popularity of the Green Market and the Flea Market, both of which border the crossing. And then there’s the usual traffic to the Museum of Natural History. It is a busy place on a slow Sunday and if you live in the area and wish to park your car anywhere near your residence, to say you are out of luck is an understatement.
But this is not the issue at hand.
I am the first person to agree that more pedestrian space is a good thing in any metropolis, but one short block away there is, arguably, the nicest park in the entire world, where people can sit and children can draw and strolling couples can stroll without the hindrance of vehicular traffic. In the other direction, a few blocks west, there is also a lovely park along the river.
For the residents who live at all in the vicinity of the blocks just north of the Open Street closure, it means that Sunday afternoons have become a cacophony of horns, which seems to build as one starts and the rest jump in to express the frustration of sitting in a sea of traffic. To direct people to use Central Park West is useless as the traffic there is also congested from the runoff created at West 77th Street.
In a perfect world, people would abandon their cars and avoid driving altogether, but, as the Open Streets program has been in effect for some time now and there has been no lessening of traffic, I think it’s safe to say that will not be a reality in the near future.
It begs the questions: Does the pleasure of the few offset the inconvenience of the many? Is this program feasible in this neighborhood?
In areas where there is little or no park access Open Streets might be a welcome amenity. In this community, it feels like an onus foisted on the residents who bear the brunt of the sound of angry drivers all day Sunday, the proverbial day of rest.
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“It begs the questions: Does the pleasure of the few offset the inconvenience of the many? Is this program feasible in this neighborhood?”
Exactly! Don’t let the few car drivers offset the enjoyment of the *many* more pedestrians here on the UWS.
Those using the open street – open for all people, not just those in cars – spend more money in the shops, make better use of the space (thousands of people eating at the tables and playing games with children) and are not the ones honking by your window.
To M Simmons:
Perhaps you are not aware – Open Streets forces detours of the M7 and M11.
Buses are essential public transit
I lived right off of Columbus on 75th St and never once minded the increase in foot traffic during Open Streets. I think it is a lovely idea and it encourages people to get out and about to enjoy the Spring and Fall weather. It also brings business to the stores and restaurants along the way. Noise is something we learn to live with in NYC – it’s part of its character.
You mean, you lived right in the pedestrian zone and got to experience only the benefits of Open Streets – and none of the terribly annoying (and dangerous) externalities – so you decide to explain to everyone how wonderful it is?
That’s an amazing revelation.
No need to be nasty. I was merely stating my opinion as someone who lived in the neighborhood.
Hallelujah! I live on 77th Street between Columbus and Amsterdam and Sundays are a nightmare!! The noise level is deafening and there seems to be nothing but unpleasantness in the air when there should be peace and delight in the markets, the museum, and the park. Please STOP open streets after Labor Day. That compromise would allow access to the street – if that’s actually necessary and being used by anyone — for July and August only. That should be enough. As the writer points out, there are two lovely parks a stone’s’ throw from this area. Let’s use those and leave the streets open to the cars ferrying people from other places to enjoy the attractions of our neighborhood.
P.S. How about limiting the open streets to two blocks only??
I believe they moved it to the fall because during the summer when there were less people here, they had poor turnout. Plus, hot black top is quite unpleasant- let alone inviting to those children who did happen to be here. So, in an effort to boost the stats that justify this initiative, they moved it to busy fall. If the goal is to provide an outdoor respite for those who have little to no open space, then why don’t they move it to an area of the city that is heavily populated with few parks? And on a day when there are already events going on that provide outdoor space activity. This is being forced on the neighborhood. It’s not a choice and it doesn’t matter what residents want. Or perhaps they fear there is less turnout elsewhere? They can co-opt the farmers market and flea market.
Yes!The pedestrian congestion makes walking impossible and sometimes dangerous for people no longer agile enough to weave in and out of throngs. The noise and carries into apartments on Amsterdam Avenue. July and August and perhaps part of June–not after Labor Day. We need peace in our busy neighborhood, too.
I agree. I live in 71st & Columbus. I have not witnessed “thousands of people eating at the tables and playing games with children” as M Simmons posted. As the essayist says, it is mostly people walking in the street because they can, not because the sidewalks are crowded. Additionally, as a senior, I rely on buses for transportation. Open Street reroutes busses making it difficult for me, and many other seniors, to get out of the neighborhood on those Sundays. Unfortunately Gayle Brewer is a big booster of Open Streets, so we are stuck with them.
Amen. Thank you. The arguments in support of this closed streets program are not convincing in any way. What is wrong with walking on sidewalks. If you need to spread out, go to Central Park, Riverside Park, the area around AMNH, or anywhere else. I am also very convinced that this does nothing to help these businesses.
And as the article notes, it creates nightmares for those on surrounding streets. And the argument of “people should drive less” is selfish and naive. I’m sorry these people never leave Manhattan and don’t have friends who live outside Manhattan. Many of us do (and I don’t own a car). And no, public transit is not an option – there are huge areas where there is minimal service, and on weekends that service is not frequent.
I am sure there are parts of NYC with minimal park space where closed streets is a great idea. But this is not one of them. But some people just like to look out for themselves and be argumentative. It is at times like these that I hate the UWS. And no, I’m not going anywhere.
Thank you. Part of the Open Street program was the “redesign” of W103rd Street between Amsterdam Ave & WEA creating an eysore with boulders in the street, reduced curb parking, potted plants blocking fire hydrants and the narrowing of an already narrow street to 91/2 ft (emergency lanes must be 12ft). The is called ParktoPark103 initiated by Peter Frishauf a wealthy funder of Transportation Alternatives. ParktoPark103 is now “partners” with the Columbus-Amsterdam BID that closes Amsterdam Ave every weekend from 106th to W110th St rerouting the #11 bus that goes to the Amersterdam Nursing Home, Mt. Sinai Hospital ad JAG physical therapy center. Residents do not have access to 6 bus stops on this route. Transportation does not want us to have private cars in the city; they want us to use for-profit citbikes, owned by Lyft & Ubers.
We must come together and get rid of Mark Levine and Gayle Brewer who appoints the members of CB7 that supports the Open Street program including Shaun Abreu.
You are so right on. My fear is people on electric bikes and scooters.
Ever tried the subway? A bus? Your car is polluting our city with noise and fumes – it doesn’t belong here. Cars kill, and they have no purpose in a city. We need public transit. You got our governor to halt congestion pricing, but you won’t get rid of foot traffic.
There is no adequate public transit to enter and leave the city. Most of us only use our cars for work, visiting family or going on vacation outside the city. Transportation Alternatives is not advocating for light rail on all our highways or tunnels. They want bus lanes but no bus shelters;use of buses but block bus stops. We have the privatization of curb space in a city where we pay the highest taxes in the U.S. Garages are being demolished, but not replaced. Essential workers cannot live and many must come by car. Subways are not accessable for the disabled or elderly. Ubers and bike kiosks and lanes are causing the congestion in mid town-NOT PRIVATE CARS!
Why do we have Open Streets in Manhattan, the wealthiest and highest taxed city in the U.S. where huge parks exist a short distance from all neighborhoods.? Millions for “Open Streets” much less for libraries and schools.
Transportation Alternatives funded by Uber and Lyft is part of the Open Plans initiative headed by Sara Lind who owns a car and can afford a thousand dollar a month garage. And, tell all the policiticans who support getting rid of cars to get rid of their chauffeur cars at tax payer expense. BTW Bloomberg Philanthropies is also behind this.
Go to CB7 meetings and protest their support. Mark Levine put on the last application for all our Community Boards in Manhattan-“Do you own a car?” He is the one who introduced the carshare program to our streets. Getaround was able to pay $475 a year for two curb spaces.
There is not even adequate public transportation to get around all parts of the five boroughs in a timely manner. The same UWSers that tell us to take the train are the same ones that will use an uber or lyft to go somehwewre in the outer boroughs because it is more convenient. They are also the same people that are reluctant to date or make friends with someone who lives outside of Manhattan or select Brooklyn neighborhoods. They are also the same people who will ride a charter bus to Bayside, Queens to campaign for Democrat Tom Suozzi for Congress while refusing to use the public transit options available in Bayside, Queens and looking down on swing district voters.
Martha,
Open Streets means in detours of the M7 and M11.
So people have trouble accessing buses.
Ever tried waiting for a bus or walking to the subway ( and it’s stairs)on a cold wintry day or on ice covered street or even a blisteringly hot day? How about trying that as a senior or someone with impaired motor or balance abilities that are so common as we age.
I am a senior, with impaired balance. I use a walker with ice and always give myself extra time. I don’t have that time dodging vehicular traffic, by the way, like the tow truck making a left turn that mowed down my friend while she crossed on a green light, killed her instantly, and pled to a misdemeanor for failure to yield. P.S. Try Access-a-Ride.
Acess-a-Ride only takes you within the city. There is no adequate public transportation to leave. When we have public transportation across the US as in Europe and get rid of private multimillion dollar car companies, then we will be able to get rid of more cars. My son, 11yrs old was killed on I95 in Connecticut , by a wreckless driver and I almost died. I did not use his death to ask everyone in Connecticut to give upe there cars when there is no public transportation alternatives.
Maxine,
That is so sad.
Very sorry for your loss.
“We need public transit”–true, but until there’s a much much much better public transit system, we’re stuck with cars. And stop scolding people for doing what they have no choice but to do.
Well put! The other issue not mentioned here is the loud music from bands, and audio speakers that blare all day long during Open Streets.. This is indeed not fair to those who live on and face Columbus Avenue. While many passersby may enjoy the music, it is a dreaded event for others. Of particular note
is the establishment Manny’s who consistently has a live band just outside their restaurant. Not at all fair to the residents who live just above the restaurant, and others within hearing distance. One must also apply for a permit to have such a band in place.
The alternative? Hands down, we have one of the very best parks and multiple playgrounds one block away!
Not this just past Sunday, but the prior one I noted a band blasting amped music (which is illegal) at an apartment building (not the Manny’s building) where a slight acquaintance lives. Don’t know in which apartment he resides, but it sure was obnoxious for anyone in the building on the Columbus side.
Agree 100% about the unwanted (and quite horrible) musical garbage emanating from outside of Manny’s Bistro. Terrible neighbor who cares not a whit for the people living within earshot of this Sunday nonsense.
That’s kind of why parks were created, no? How can anyone compare the joy of being in Central Park to the filthy conditions of a street?
You want it, but at no cost to you? That’s not how things work in a city. The Open Streets are filled with people enjoying themselves on the few weeks a year they can. Perhaps take a plan to the city that would publicize the program to drivers and avoid everyone turning on one block. That can be done. But we are a walking, mass-transit city, cars should be the subordinate vehicle for so many reasons other than Open Streets.
Elizabeth-
Please note that open streets forces bus detours.
So people who need mass transit buses cannot access them
You have the open streets, you have the street fair, you have another closure. If the open streets were done and there was no street fair as you already have unauthorized vending on columbus on sundays, there would be less of an issue. But the real intent here is spiting car drivers and fighting a culture war on cars.
“Filled with people?” You just lost all credibility. As others have noted, the streets are usually empty. And I’m sure these people would be just as happy in Central Park.
If all of the neighborhood know-it-alls advocating for this ridiculous program actually participated in it, then perhaps others might be very slightly more accepting of it. But the lack of people involved just adds insult to injury.
And perhaps you should make some friends who live outside NYC and use cars. They are really interesting, diverse, worldly. And in this part of the country, they still often even vote for Democrats! I am a lifelong Democrat and as anti-Trump as anyone, but this closed-minded attitude is a big part of why this country is so divided. Urban liberal know-it-alls who constantly want to impose their brilliance on everyone else without considering what they might want.
It’s Schrödinger’s Open Street! So full people have trouble navigating around others and dealing with the noise but also usually empty =)
Cars may be necessary in other parts of the country – certainly not in Manhattan. Only like 20% of households have a car, they are just the loud minority used to getting public space for free.
Manhattan is the center of a four state metro area and there is certainly not enough public transit to reach the UWS conveniently, especially on weekends when most subway lines have one detour or another or are forced to run less service because of construction somewhere else that is not the UWS.
I reject your premise – there are many public transit options to get to the UWS even on weekends. Sure, there might be a transfer/delay but why should the entire UWS be inconvenienced to maximize the convenience for someone driving in? The priority in Manhattan needs to be pedestrians not drivers.
Why should the entire metro area that is not part of the gentrified NYC universe be inconvenienced for the benefit of UWS residents who want the neighborhood for themselves but will never admit that openly?
How do pedestrians get to the UWS? Not all of them use the subway or are able to use the subway. It is not all single occupancy vehicles driving in either, you have families and groups driving in from elsewhere too. Indeed Manhattan is the nucleus of a large metropolitan area and part of the trade off of living in the nucleus of a large metropolitan area is that everyone who cannot afford to live in Manhattan are going to want to be where its at and do not want to be unduly burdened.
Taking public transportation is not an undue burden. As you might guess from my screen name, I have kids & am frequently taking them all over the city via public transit.
Taking public transportation can certainly be an undue burden depending on people’s circumstances, you are not the arbiter of people’s circumstances. Not only that, the same people that are telling others how self righteous they are about riding trains or bikes are often the same ones that think that other people’s service should be cut or other people’s bus stops should be removed. This is what is happening with the borough bus redesigns in the outer boroughs. This is what is happening elsewhere.
You expect Manhattan to drive up costs for ourselves by providing parking and driving lanes for people from other states who have neglected to build transit?! Wild.
The same people complaining that Manhattan is “driving up costs” by “providing parking and driving lanes” are the same people that complain about how commuter rail and commuter buses have higher subsidies and are a “luxury service”. Not only that, if you live in NJ and work on the UWS as an example, since NY and NJ do not have any tax reciprocity, NJ residents are paying taxes to NY not NJ. So why should NJ spend more than it has to on transit only to lose tax revenue to NY? NJ might as well keep NJ residents in NJ and the UWS loses out. It does not help Manhattan’s case that there were Manhattan residents that opposed rebuilding the Port Authority Bus Terminal here and wanted it rebuilt in NJ. It also does not help that Manhattan residents complain about commuter buses from the outer boroughs. Shows that Manhattanites want their cake and to eat it too, all while they charter private buses to come to neighborhoods like mine to tell us how to vote in order to get the political party they want control of Congress.
I’m very much not interested in subsidizing car dependency for “friends who live outside NYC and use cars”. They are free to vote for people who will build transit.
You mean you want to force people onto transit, then in effect tire them out from even accessing the UWS and therefore making it a defacto gated zone.
Transit is more accessible than driving, hope that helps
Exactly! They wasted untold thousands of dollars removing parking spots for no reason on 103rd street. (I don’t have a car but I still think it’s stupid. NOT ONCE have I seen anyone availing themselves of the blocked off parking spots space.
The boulders block off everything, but allow people to sleep on them at night, not to mention the garbage and people peeing in the plants. The Marseille already had No Parking for 8 spaces when it only needed 2. Its director Sheldon Fine is a member of CB7. ParktoPark103’s advocate, Peter Frishauf, is on the board of 102-103 Block Association that now has “cabinet” meetings with CB7. ParttoPark103 is now a “partner” with the Columbus-Amsterdam BID that reroutes the #11 Bus to Mt Sinai hospital and closes access to 6 bus stops. So much for the ability to take public transportation.
Is this the Columbus Ave BID that just approved that new sitting area destined for west 72 and Columbus corner? It all seems connected. Perhaps Trans Alt has co-opted Gale’s Community Board after all? I thought Sheldon Fine was the homeless shelter advocate. Now he is pushing Open Streets initiatives? How is it going with all the security cameras we are supposed to get installed based upon the discretionary funds? We don’t hear anything about that?
TransAlt has co-opted the Columbus Avenue BID ever since Barbara Adler stepped down from leading the BID and since Nicole Paynter, a Texas transplant, took over. Under Paynter’s leadership, it is the Open Streets, the Smart Curbs that all have been pushed through, all while the Columbus Avenue BID moved to a more stylish coworking space for its offices.
Not to mention how awful those “rainbow circles” that are supposed to bring us joy look right now. Not only did they remove our parking spots, they removed our street sweepers! So the garbage just piles up in those “beautification spaces” that are chipped and dull and full of trash and actual dirt . Not to mention the giant flower pots that the homeless use as toilets. All at the whim of a billionaire, whom if you notice, doesn’t have any missing spots nor garbage piles nor portable toilets in front of his brownstone between WEA and Riverside.
This Open Street plan off Columbus Ave. has also totally inconvenienced bus riders on Sundays. I completely agree that the park gives pedestrians all they need and more to enjoy the out-of-doors. Sunday is not a day for roaming for EVERYONE. Some of us need and rely on busses to get around for errands, shopping, meetings and family visits. Time to rethink this plan especially after seeing the negative effects it continues to produce.
Car horns should only be used as a warning. For safety. The horn is not an outlet for some privileged suburbanite to express their frustration at driving into a city when they can take a train or bus. Why not leave the car at the edge of the city, Whiteplains possibly, and take the train. Before you pass blame on to those noisy horrible pedestrians who make it sooooo difficult for motorists, count the number of people stuck in their cars in traffic caused by other people in cars stuck in traffic. Then make the obvious calculation and you’ll discover that there are fewer people in those stuck in traffic cars than pedestrians strolling in the middle of the Avenue.
And.
Drivers are lemmings. They rarely try the next street or avenue to escape the line of cars in front of them. They are dumb. Not stupid, just plain dumb to get themselves stuck in traffic of their own making. And they’re afraid. Afraid of the city, the people, the other cars and the crime they imagine will get them if they ride the subway, bus, walk, or drive down a street they’re WAZE doesn’t direct them down.
If only there were someway to discourage people from driving into the heart of the city and clogging the streets and honking their horns.
Let me use your White Plains example for people driving to the nearest point of public transit. To get from the UWS to Grand Central to catch Metro-North, I would need to allocate at least 30 to 35 minutes to walk to the subway then take two different trains to get to Grand Central in order to catch my Metro-North train, then I have to go and walk to the train. Before the train even leaves, we are talking about 35 minutes or so, then comes the train ride which takes about 37 minutes. That is a three seat transit ride, or four seats including car. In that same 30 to 35 minutes it takes to get from my location on the UWS to Grand Central assuming I am not immediately next to a subway station like the 72nd Street station, I can drive from the UWS to Westchester. Actually UWS to Westchester by car is a one seat ride and I could even get from the UWS to White Plains direct in about 40 minutes.
Tell the Ubers and the Lyfts not to drive in the city. They are causing the congestion. We are New Yorkers, most of us use public transportation. “Uber flooded Manhattan’s streets with tens of thousands of new cars with one passenger each, bringing gridlock to the worst levels on record. Uber also destroyed the city’s decades-old taxi regulation system, which had been created to control the number of vehicles on dense urban streets,” https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/28/opinion/new-york-city-metro-ravitch.html
“Uber flooded Manhattan’s streets with tens of thousands of new cars with one passenger each”.
Perhaps you might cast some blame on your neighbors who will summon an Uber to go a few blocks. They are the ones who are supporting the Ubers and Lyfts; those cars would not be here if your neighbors weren’t paying them to be.
Yes, most NYCers use public transit. We need less cars, Ubers/Lyfts and personal cars. All are space inefficient as you note, usually only transporting one person. We need congestion pricing ASAP.
Many of those transit users also drive. Many of those transit users depend on cars in some way. Transit riders do not use transit 100% of the time and car drivers do not drive 100% of the time. But bike zealots want to bike 100% of the time and rail buffs want to ride trains 100% of the time.
No one said anything about 100% of the time… CP provides an incentive to use transit more! If you need to take a car, it will cost you a bit more but you’ll benefit from less time stuck in traffic.
Ferd, the noise issue would be solved if the police ever issued tickets to those honking in anger at being re-routed. Such an easy revenue generator for the city, and we are wasting this opportunity by not insisting that honking fines be enforced. Also, my sister noticed major gridlock around the Port Authority today on her way to catch a bus. 10 years ago we saw traffic cops preventing people from blocking the box. Another revenue generating opportunity wasted.
I love the idea of open streets but on Columbus it’s been underwhelming. Where are the food vendors? It should be a food fest like in other neighborhoods.
outside vendors (food or otherwise) are not allowed on open streets.
Thank you for the thoughtful essay, Ellen. My experience of Open Streets has been exactly yours — noise and traffic congestion surrounding a barren, not very festive pedestrian walkway. I board the Columbus Ave bus further uptown to get to the JCC on Sundays, and the diversion along CPW means walking an extra crosstown block to Amsterdam — a considerable effort for this old lady. Passing the ‘open’ area at Columbus, I’ve never seen the crowds of shoppers and merrymakers that some commentators cite — just an overflow of mingy merch tables from the flea market and a few kids scribbling with chalk on the dirty asphalt. Depressing.
I’m all for pedestrian streets without traffic, but not on a major thoroughfares. They’d be more festive and less disruptive on side streets.
If open streets are to work, then there ought to be signage blocks away warning drivers…and If would be nice if that organizers of street fairs pay for portable signage on the avenues they block notifying drivers that the street is closed, say 10-15 blocks ahead. Or even at the exits off the westside highway. Better yet, move the street fairs in to school yards.
Signage far in advance is everything.
I agree! Another nuisance is the street musicians: Great if you’re just passing by, but awful if you’re in your home and have to listen to the heavily amped music all afternoon and into the evening. Also inconvenient if you’re returning from or leaving for a work assignment or vacation and have to tote suitcases several blocks because your ride can’t stop near your apartment. Plus, no posting of alternate routes along Columbus Ave. bus line makes it hard to figure out where to find your bus on Sundays. Open Streets has been a great experiment, but I think the nuisances outweigh the benefits.
I’m glad that this post mentions the rerouting of bus routes. The impact of an Open Street goes well beyond its immediate neighborhood. The alternate routes can confuse the passengers and sometimes even the drivers. Riders with limited mobility, and for whom subway stairs are a challenge, are especially inconvenienced by the extra blocks they may have to travel to the alternate stops. And of course the congestion created by Open Streets slows down public transportation as well as private automobiles.
Yes and when open streets do not occur because of rain, buses still end up making the detour anyways. You can add all the bus lanes you want, but the urbanist nonsense hurts bus operators too, who do want to get people from point a to point b as quickly as possible and can do so without bus lanes and bells and whistles urbanists are forcing people to have.
Agree 1,000% about the Music. Microphones turned WAY up. I think it was last summer there was a band set up on Columbus Ave between 71st and 72nd with a woman singer Wailing away. You could hear her from BLOCKS away for hours. Not a pleasant way to spend a quiet Sunday at home.
Using an amplifier without a permit is illegal. Call 311 or post on NYC. gov and then call your local precinct. We should have the right to listen to the music we choose in our homes and not the warbling of a terrible saxophonist for hours.
I called 311 and the local precinct multiple Sundays over a couple of years about the noise from illegal amps but there was no resolution. Was finally put in touch with a kind NYPD community liaison who acknowledged the police do receive complaints about the Open Streets noise, but given other priorities do not have the resources to address this. He suggested deluging 311 and nyc.gov with complaints but it is hard to organize sufficient numbers of neighbors to have an effect.
I wonder about the environment impact. I don’t believe people with cars are not driving on Sundays because of Open Streets. They are just detoured leading to more congestion and pollution on the streets that allow traffic.
We are inundated by car noise, loud car radios, honking and ambulances almost everyday in our area of the neighborhood as well without open streets. We live on the 14th floor and can barely hear our TV at a normal volume if our windows are open. I wish there were signs up reminding people driving that their honking and loud music on their car radios disturbs their neighbors. And since there actually are laws in the city about excessive noise from vehicles, it seems like another way the city could earn money – by actually ticketing the many drivers who are breaking those noise laws. I’ve been in some places in the country that also have signs stating laws and fines for unnecessary honking. Ah… Wouldn’t that be a dream…if stuff like that were enforced. I sometimes miss the quiet of my old apartment where I lived in the back of the building….but then there is less light. Theres’s always a trade-off here in NYC it seems.
Totally agree NYPD needs to actually enforce of noise laws. One of the great benefits of Open Streets is you get to appreciate how quiet NYC can be even in the city once cars are removed.
As the writer correctly identifies in the article, it’s the cars making the noise and pollution!
For God’s sake, driving is a privilege, not a right. Behaviors take time to change. The open streets on the UWS are a blessing, particularly the one around 110 and Amsterdam.
Congestion pricing IS coming. So is residential parking permitting. The status quo is awful, there are too many cars in the city, and nowhere else in the civilized world beyond the US tolerates it.
Open streets bad? If you don’t like it, the burbs are always there….
You’re really stretching the meaning and intent of that phrase. It doesn’t refer to actual driving, but the right one is given to drive.
I couldn’t agree more! For those of us who live on 79 Street, Open Streets has been a noisy horrible nightmare!
Like you, I moved to New York City hoping to avoid traffic, escape from noise and advocate for people who choose to drive.
You should have done your homework about transportation in NYC before moving here. It’ like a person who just spent $2M for their apartment in our building, now complaining that it is too loud and the building should pay for soundproofing her apartment. Buyer beware…
I totally agree with Zaroff on this. And to the person who recommended more food trucks etc., who wants the trash and odor associated with those trucks? Have you ever seen what’s on offer at the various avenue festivals? nothing but junk food, greasy, smelly, and unappealing. Those festivals too are a scourge, tying up traffic, and have way passed their sell-by date, in my opinion. We need special festivals to buy tube socks and fried fritters? We need to support our local businesses, not these temporary gigs.
i totally agree
we have parks for meandering & playing games
leave the streets for cars & buses & bikes etc
I’ll second the many commenters that have pointed out how many UWS residents are out enjoying Open Streets every week.
But the essay’s main complaint seems to be with car noise – perhaps the answer is fewer cars?
UWS Dad,
I’ll chime in again…
It is not OK to have open streets and force bus detours.
exactly. or wider support from the city to help with traffic mitigation such as signage
New York is doing everything in its power to block cars, decrease commuters, kill business by making it impossible to drive and park.
I am sorry did you just say kill businesses by making it impossible to drive and park?! So let me get this straight, in your “humble” opinion, drivers are making up the bulk of the consumers in NYC?
Drivers make up a sizable amount, especially in areas not named Midtown. NYC is a very big city and is not only Manhattan.
Martha writes “you got the Governor to halt congestion pricing but you’ll never get rid of foot traffic Oh yes they will. They keep adding more and more Citi-bikes and let the selfish entitled bike-riders do whatever they please without fear of consequence or accountability. I long for the day when these lawless bike-riders are hauled downtown to await their arraignment. Hope it’s televised. All those smug humorless faces finally paying the piper. Ah. Bliss!
I have always referred to ‘open streets’ as ‘closed streets’. We do have great parks, and as streets have already been narrowed by bike lanes, Citibike racks, turn lanes and still remaining restaurant sheds, closing more streets is just an unnecessary annoyance.
Totally with you! The traffic all over the west side is a nightmare. And between subway closures and then bus re-routings. It’s also a nightmare trying to get anywhere. Thank you!
I loved Open Streets on West End from like 86th to 06th.
It was so lovely in May and. Mine 2020. People sitting on the sidewalk, talking.
It does create a sense of community in a way going to the park does not.
That being said, this was COVID days so cars weren’t going anyway.
And no buses on West End
Also. If there is an emergency, those fire trucks or ambulances are in trouble.
I just don’t know if it is all that useful post COVID. Still. If people sit on their chairs in the street – there is something exciting about that. But
Not worth it anymore
THANK YOU! I don’t think this needs to become a competition between car-owners and the (very) few pedestrians who area availing themselves of the Open Streets designations. Cars are real, they exist, and they will not go away. Making it tougher for them makes it tougher for pretty much everyone, unfortunately.
Speaking as a resident of 103rd St, happily sandwiched between two superb and easily-accessed parks, all I see is non-use and accumulation of street trash.
The absolutely HIDEOUS paintings on the macadam – already peeling – the huge and unpleasant blocks of rough-quarried stone – the displaced persons sleeping on them in the middle of the day – and most notably, the piles of trash gathering along the line of the curbstones – not to mention the marked ABSENCE of the nature-starved and outdoors-hungry deprived New Yorkers who would supposedly be served by this travesty all speak of a totally failed and pathetically bad attempt at reclaiming streets the vast majority of people clearly don’t want reclaimed.
I’ve often wondered how much a percentage of my tax dollars has gone / will go to perpetrating this farce – especially when I think a very few locals foisted and muscled this on to the backs of the clear majority who voted AGAINST this designation.
Now I await the hateful commentary this posting will doubtless engender. But I hold my ground in terms of my opinion. Thank you for the opportunity to vent.
I may be wrong, but I think you are speaking about the open streets above 96 street, which is not the same as the one referenced in this piece.
Completely agree with Zaroff. The intersection of Columbus @77 is busy every Sunday with the “bazaar”, farmers market and line at Shake Shack. To BEGIN/END the “open streets” passage at this already crowded intersection is illogical. The increase in both pedestrian traffic and vehicle traffic congestion creates more honking which is annoying to residents who live close to this intersection. Move the closure north to W81 where the intersection is 3-way instead of 4-way. Thank you.
I agree about the congestion at Columbus and 77th. But to move the start of the open streets passage to W.81st would be a nightmare. Keep in mind that the east-west traffic from the Central Park transverse on 81st must take a left onto Columbus. And that intersection is already a Sunday honk-a-thon that assaults residents (I am one), museum visitors, farmers’ market visitors, visitors to Theodore Roosevelt Park, visitors to the dog park, local restaurants, other local businesses, and farmers’ market vendors. At the very least, the honking (which is illegal unless for imminent danger!) should be stopped.
How about that idiot in the orange food vending truck who parks outside of Shake Shack and blasts his music for hours on end on Sundays? There ‘outta be a law!
There are laws, and people should complain. That truck is egregious
Great suggestion Sue and easy to implement.
‘Open streets’ is a good idea if it is used the way is was meant to be used, but it doesn’t seem to be. The open streets are mostly empty and it causes major conjestion and frustration. I think it makes the air quality worse. Who really wins?
Is anyone (i.e. city agency) actually monitoring Open Streets? How many people are, in fact, taking advantage of Open Streets in each borough/neighborhood. When I walk by an Open Street there are hardly any people making use of the open streets. There are very few-if any vendors- which tells me that poor attendance of people keeps vendors from participating. Frankly it is depressing. As one of the contributors points out-Central Park is very nearby. Perhaps this is a good plan for areas that do not have access to a park but here it seems to be just another hassle for people who live right in the midst of this program. For all of those NOT impacted by Open Streets just imagine having to put up with the noise, traffic, rerouted buses, etc. all day–even once in a while! Don’t we have enough to contend with in our daily New York lives?
I’d argue the better option is to return to fines for incessant honking. There was a time when it had been significantly under control and then we regressed. Google Maps/Waze show the street closures. Drivers can plan accordingly.
The last open street was the most crowded I’ve ever seen. I’m not sure the people in the street would have fit on the sidewalk. But I do sympathize with someone who lives near the horn honking jerks. Maybe the group that organizes the open street and who puts crossing guards at that intersection could do more to shut up the cars. Maybe they need a sign further north warning cars not to go that way.
A few weekends a year is fine, but you have the street fair on Amsterdam, and other closures and that is where the balance is not good.
Ellen,
Well said. I couldn’t agree more.
Take the corner of 77 th St and Columbus. NORTH: Museum of Natural History visitors and Fruit/Veggie etc. vendors. SOUTH: School playground Flea Market
EAST: Fruit/Veggie/ etc vendors up to CPW. WEST: Furious drivers diverted west by Open Streets. Such concentration of noise, street music, more blocks of illigal vendors and we are left with an unholy mess of trash and garbage up and down our streets and Avenue. Please. Help!
It is one thing to do Open Streets on one side street.
However it is unacceptable to do Open Streets on a bus route, forcing bus diversion.
Public transit must always be prioritized.
With Central Park a block away, it is even more concerning that necessary bus transit has been sacrificed for chalk drawing and seating for coffee breaks.
NYC can’t keep telling people to use public transit – and then thwart transit.
Great post. Most practically, I fear that ambulance or a fire engine or a police car that cannot respond in a timely manner before an incident or illness becomes a tragedy. The city needs to flow in a timely manner, regardless of the day of the week.
There are roads (for vehicles) and sidewalks (for pedestrians) for a reason.
Yes and thank you. The Open Street near me, on Amsterdam Ave between 106 and 110 is also barely used and closes off a main route, inconveniencing not only motorists but anyone taking the M11 bus. It also means that ambulances heading north to Mount Sinai have to reroute.
Roxy,
Amsterdam 110-111th is closed too – so the M11 cannot get back to Amsterdam until 120th due to the Columbia campus.
It is also an issue for the nursing home/rehab.
And because Columbia has been closing the campus due to protests/security, pedestrians can’t even walk Amsterdam-Broadway at 116th.
Last week there was work on the No. 1 and a major issue – no subway and no bus (due to open streets)
Ellen, are you me? I walked by the area last Sunday early afternoon and felt my usual outrage. Traffic above 77th was crazy. Meanwhile, in the streets there were some people playing chess…but they were all wearing official Open Streets vest so they were just “performing”. PopUp bagels got to put a bunch of tables in the street to sell more high priced stuff to the TikTok crowd Hardly anyone was doing anything in the “open” area that they couldn’t have done on the sidewalk or the park a block away.
If the city wants to encourage mass transit and minimize other driving, why not create dedicated bus lanes on Columbus Ave? Create high occupancy vehicle requirements for cars . Ban commercial traffic during certain hours.
What a tragedy
It is jarring that so many Open Street defenders view these events as a way to punish car owners, while ignoring the reality that it is users of public transit, public services, ride share, delivery to homebound, and the elderly and mobility-challenged who are punished. All so the Open street defender can stand in the middle of a virtually empty street and bask in the lonely glory of their vitriolic virtue signaling.
I could never understand why an Open Street on 103rd – ONE BLOCK from Riverside Park was a good idea. It’s ridiculous. People living in midtown or other areas that don’t have accessible parks need open streets but not areas so close to parks.
This column is spot on. Last Sunday, the open Columbus Avenue was pretty much empty, just as the column describes, a few kids with chalk, empty tables and a very few meandering pedestrians. Outside this ridiculous wasteland was gridlock throughout the entire UWS. And honking from angry drivers all day long. Gridlock everywhere. For what? Why close the streets? This is something that downtown revitalization advocates have been told to do nationwide to bring shoppers and others to Main Street. It’s dumb and accomplishes nothing.
I may be wrong, but I think you are speaking about the open streets above 96 street, which is not the same as the one referenced in this piece.
I liked the idea of Open Streets.
But last weekend, I saw an ambulance stuck in traffic on Columbus Avenue – and again on 77th.
There was just no place to go. A street fair on Broadway made matters worse.
While the siren was certainly annoying to neighbors, someone wasn’t getting their medical help!
Truest of the truest posts. Plow all that Open Streets energy into filling vacant storefronts, securing a residential-sticker parking system for those who legitimately *do* need somewhere affordable to park (*so over* all the out-of-staters sucking up what precious little curb space remains), sterilizing rats, protecting tenants from the escalating rent prices… Those moves would go a hell of a lot further, overall, in enhancing our day-to-day lives. Open Streets is creating more hermits than anything.
Just another brilliant well thought out Marxist woke green imposition by the select few elites on the many. All bike lanes ever did in Manhattan was cause backups, exhaust fumes and traffic. But when the brilliant out-if-town suburban-raised Ivy interns took over city hall what do you expect.
This happened during the Adams administration. Is that who you’re talking about?
Cars have no place in our city !!!!
You must be kidding. Cars and trucks bring
goods and services into the city. There is no other way since the Hi Line is now a Patk
“Open streets” is completely ridiculous. just as ridiculous as congestion parking.
Get rid of it.!
Very funny to try to argue that car centric design is a benefit to “the many” when just 20 % of manhattan households even have cars. Even funnier to argue that drivers using their horn illegally to signal that they are inconvenienced is an indication that there are too many pedestrians!
Streets are not there for just those in Manhattan who own cars. That’s a silly fact to mention when taking a swipe at cars.
They certainly want streets to be for Manhattanites who use rideshare cars on the regular.
W79th here. Could not agree more. And just imagine the holy hell from congestion pricing.
Open Streets is a great idea. But did the planning stop at “let’s just close off the street and make everyone adjust?” I’m not simply complaining. There’s a solution for at least the noise. It is illegal in NYC to honk unless there is imminent danger. But the intersection of 81st and Columbus turns into a honk-a-thon on Sundays, even with traffic cops trying to control the intersection. The honking disrupts more than residents trying to have a peaceful Sunday (I’m one of those; the honking is more than maddening; it affects my health). It is a cacophony for crowds here for the Museum of Natural History, visitors to the farmers’ market, dog owners heading to the dog park, restaurants and businesses along Columbus, and workers at the farmer’s market. How about signage for vehicles entering the congestion zones warning that the honking rule will be enforced here? How about extra cops who can hand out actual tickets for the offenders?
It is the same concept that they will push with congestion pricing, as advocate Charles Komanoff once said “an imperfect congestion pricing plan is better than no congestion pricing at all”. In other words let us force our agenda through and then deal with the consequences afterwards and at least they achieved their life’s goal even if it ends up being repealed in a few years.
It’s a VERY simple geometry problem – space in Manhattan is not unlimited, cars take up a lot of space. Congestion Pricing simply helps to put a price on that externality. So what Charles is saying is even if CP is not perfectly calibrated, it will serve to reduce congestion & all the noise/pollution that comes with it, which is what the writer is complaining about!
It ain’t a simple geometry problem when you flood the streets with rideshare app cars, most of whom are taking trips within Manhattan or to other gentrifying areas. To them a $2.50 uber fee means nothing. You cannot flood the streets with ubers and lyfts and then complain about congestion.
Congestion pricing not being perfectly calibrated is a problem when its proponents concede that the purpose of congestion pricing is not even to encourage more people to use transit. You read that right, they do not care.